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 Congratulations to the winners of the 8th grade volleyball tournament; afterschool soccer program; students working on their communication skills with a building activity.
Franklin Community,
What a fun way to frame the week. We kicked things off with the excitement of Super Bowl weekend and are heading into Valentine’s Day weekend to close it out. It has been a lively stretch for our students, and that energy has certainly carried into the building.
We are continuing to work through academic advising as students make their course selections for next year. This is an important process for both our students and our school community as we plan for elective offerings and honors-level courses. The decisions students make now help shape our master schedule and ensure we are providing classes that align with student interests and goals. If you have not already done so, we encourage you to have a conversation with your student about their course selections and future plans. Your input and guidance are an important part of this process.
We have also had to get a bit creative with recess this week. Due to the snow still covering much of our fields, recess has been limited to paved surfaces for students bold enough to brave the cold temperatures, with an indoor option in the gym for a calmer recess experience. Both locations have been a bit crowded, but our students have handled it well and we have made it work. We are hopeful that some warmer temperatures this weekend and in the days ahead will bring melting snow and allow us to return to our normal recess routines.
Today, students received their report cards along with any earned A/B Honor Roll certificates. We are proud of the hard work and growth our students demonstrated during the first semester. Please be on the lookout for these materials in your student’s backpack!
Lastly, we want to share information about the new Raptor Emergency Management System being implemented across FCPS. This system enhances school safety by providing staff with improved tools to respond quickly and effectively in the event of an emergency. As part of this rollout, staff members will be issued wearable emergency response badges with buttons that allow them to instantly initiate specific safety protocols or alert administrators and first responders if urgent assistance is needed. These badges provide an added layer of security by enabling immediate communication without requiring access to a phone or computer. Raptor integrates emergency protocols, reunification procedures, and communication tools into one streamlined platform, allowing schools to manage incidents more efficiently and ensure accurate, timely information sharing with families and first responders if needed. Strengthening safety systems remains a top priority, and this new platform adds another layer of preparedness to support our students and staff.
We hope everyone enjoys a safe and enjoyable long weekend and has a Happy Valentine’s Day! Remember that students do not report to school on Monday or Tuesday.
Tom DeRusso
Principal
Franklin Middle School
Weekly CARE Card Raffle Winners
~Important Dates~
February 16 - Presidents' Day - School & Office Closed
February 17 - School Closed - Teacher Workday
February 27 - Franklin vs. Rocky Run Basketball
5pm-Staff / 6pm-Girls / 7pm-Boys
Black History Month is an annual celebration of achievements by African Americans and a time for recognizing their central role in U.S. history. Learn more about Black History month.
~Action Items~
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Want a quick way to recognize an employee or team? Share an FCPS CARES! Families, colleagues, and students are all invited to submit. The FCPS CARES is automatically sent to the recipient(s) and their supervisor, and is posted on fcps.edu. Additionally, each month one school in our region wins a staff celebration from HR. Encourage your community to show our staff that their hard work is appreciated!
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🥛 Ramadan - Student Fasting Meal Kits
FCPS is offering take-home meal kits from Wednesday, February 18 to Thursday, March 19, 2026 to support students who are fasting during the school day.
Families must fill out a meal kit request form FCPS FNS website for each student, every week. Because these meals are prepared fresh, we cannot accept late requests.
The request form will open on February 4. Please see submission deadlines below:
- By Monday, February 16, 2026 for the week of February 23, 2026
- By Monday, February 23, 2026 for the week of March 2, 2026
- By Monday, March 2, 2026 for the week of March 9, 2026
- By Monday, March 9, 2026 for the week of March 16, 2026
Meal kits will be picked up in the main office at the end of the school day.
📸School Pictures Ready to View
School pictures are ready!
To order, log in to your account on mylifetouch.com or create an account using your student's student ID number.
All families can also log on and order a FREE Digital SmileSafe card.
More about the Smilesafe program here.
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Yearbook Orders
Pre-order your 2025-2026 Franklin Yearbook! Orders are open between now and April 13. No late orders will be accepted.
To order, visit yearbookordercenter.com and use order number 5330, or use the QR code provided on the attached flyer.
Don't miss out!
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☑️Register To Volunteer
All parents must register before volunteering for a school event. At Franklin Middle School, our volunteers are a vital part of our school community. We deeply value the time and care they give to our students.
We encourage all our parents and community members interested in supporting our students by volunteering at school to visit Volunteer FCPS, click “Learn More,” and then “Sign Up.” After you create a profile, you will view an orientation video and complete a volunteer application. Visit the Volunteer FCPS Frequently Asked Questions page to learn more.
Want to volunteer? Visit Volunteer FCPS to find and sign up for volunteer opportunities. Contact Volunteers@fcps.edu with any questions.
~Student Services~
FLE Updates
Dear Parents/Guardians of Franklin Students:
Students in grades 7-8 participate in Family Life Education (FLE) instruction through their Health/PE classrooms.
7th grade HGD FLE Feb. 2-5
8th grade HGD FLE Feb 9-12
8th grade ESH FLE lessons begin Feb 18.
7th grade ESH FLE lessons begin Mar 9,
In addition, grade level-specific curriculum lessons are available for review in multiple locations.
- Online in Schoology - includes lessons and media titles that FCPS has streaming rights for. Any additional media or book titles that are not streamed are available at your child’s school library.
o Parents/guardians login to Schoology using the same username and password as their Student Information System (SIS) Parent account.
- Your child’s school. Please contact the school to schedule a time to review lessons and/or media.
- City of Fairfax Regional Library – lessons only. Media is not available.
In the beginning of the year, parents/guardians who did not wish to have their child participate in FLE instruction chose to opt their child out of any or all of the lessons. If you have not and would like to opt your child out of one or more lessons, please fill out and return the form https://www.fcps.edu/sites/default/files/media/forms/english_3.pdf.
If you have already indicated your desire to opt your child out of FLE lessons by using the form provided earlier in the school year, you do not need to complete another form. Should you opt your child out and then later decide you want your child included in FLE instruction, you must notify your child’s school principal in writing before instruction begins.
An alternative non-FLE health instructional program is provided for children who do not take part in FLE instruction, and every effort is made to foster understanding and respect for family choices and to avoid peer pressure for or against participation in the program.
 Rising 9th Grade Students
The Parent University 101: Helping Your Child Navigate Rising 9th Grade Academic Advising and the Important Rising 9th Grade Academic Advising Dates are posted in the Student and Parent Schoology.
🍞Food for Neighbors
Help Franklin MS and Food for Neighbors, Fight Student Hunger with the Red Bag Program
1 in 4 kids in Northern Virginia faces hunger. Food For Neighbors supports local students by collecting food through the Red Bag Program and distributing it to school pantries.
How it works:
- Request a free Red Bag
- Fill it with listed food items every 2 months
- Leave it outside on collection day — it’ll be picked up!
Learn more about what to donate and how to get involved: Red Bag program click here.
You can also volunteer to collect or sort bags — a great way for students to earn service hours.
Questions? Contact the school’s social worker, Elyse Brunais , or our family liaison, Janet McFadden.
~AFTER-SCHOOL PROGRAM~
Students should be picked up from the After-School Program no later than 5:00PM. Parents should communicate with your student on their pickup time. Late Buses run Monday-Thursday with a departure time of 4:45pm. On Fridays there are no late buses but parents may pick up their students by 4:35pm on Fridays.
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For more info on the After-School Program visit the website or schoology.
- February 27 - Franklin vs Rocky Run Basketball Game at Chantilly HS.
VIP CAMP - SAVE THE DATE
Save the Date for Values in Prevention Camp - VIP Camp. Western Fairfax VIP Camp will be held at Liberty Middle School from July 1-July 30.
More details to follow. Application for VIP Camp will open in March!!
MS Sports - Spring Track
Spring Track Information is posted below. There will be a meeting during school on Wednesday March 4 for all students interested in Spring Track & Field. The first practice will be on Tuesday April 7. All students will need to make sure that they register using the MS Sports Track Registration Link posted below. If your student ran Cross Country their FCPS Physical is still valid but will need to complete the Registration Link and ECC.. If they are new to track, they will need to complete all forms listed below.
Meets for Track will be held at designated High Schools across FCPS on Saturdays. The first meet of the season will be on Saturday April 25 at Herndon High School.
All paperwork and the MS Sports Registration must be submitted before any student can participate, try out or practice. Any questions please reach out to Chris Tippins at WCTippins@fcps.edu.You can also visit the Franklin MS Sports page or at the FCPS MS Sports site for more information.
**Track Coach Needed**
We are looking for a Track Coach for the spring Track season. Track practices will start the week after Spring Break. Coaching consists of practices 2 days per week and five meets on Saturdays. The last meet of the season is on 5/30. If you are interested in coaching, please contact Mr. Tippins (wctippins@fcps.edu) and/or Mr. DeRusso (tgderusso@fcps.edu)
Franklin vs Rocky Run Basketball Game - February 27
Tickets for the Franklin vs Rocky Run Basketball Game are on sale now via MySchoolBucks for $5.00. Visit the school store and look for the Franklin vs Rocky Icon to purchase tickets. Tickets will be available via MySchoolBucks until February 24. Tickets will be sold in lunches on February 25/26 and will be available for purchase at Chantilly HS the night of the game.
COMMANDERS CAMPS
Coming to Franklin MS!!
Franklin Middle School will be hosting 3 Commanders Flag Football Camps run by Flag Star Football this summer. For more information visit www.commanderscamps.com or scan the QR Code below.
 ~Franklin Middle School PTA~
Support Franklin's PTA
We're One-Third of the Way to Our Goal!
Welcome back to all our families to another busy school year! We're grateful to everyone who has already joined the PTA this year! So far, we're only about one-third of the way to meeting our membership goal. Your membership dollars go directly back into supporting our students, teachers, and classrooms by covering a variety of costs from classroom resources and teacher appreciation to student enrichment opportunities and more.
While we anticipated membership numbers might dip compared to last year, we're hopeful that families who are able can help close the gap. In addition to the standard $25 membership, please consider subscribing to the $50, $75, or $100 levels. Every extra contribution makes a big difference and helps reduce the need for heavier fundraisers later in the school year. Click here to register for membership, and please try to do so as soon as possible.
A reminder to returning Franklin families and awareness for our new families--for details and links on information and resources you'll need as your children progress through Franklin, visit and subscribe to our PT School Board and follow the Franklin MS PTA Facebook page.
~Helpful Information~
😷Health Reminders
Flu season is here, and we all want to keep our students healthy and safe. Please remind your child to practice good hygiene, such as washing their hands frequently and covering their mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing.
If your child is feeling unwell, especially with flu-like symptoms such as fever, chills, cough, sore throat or body aches, we ask that you to keep them at home to rest and recover. If your child has a fever of 100.4 or higher, keep them at home until his or her fever is below 100.4 for 24 hours without the use of fever reducing medication.
Thank you for your support in keeping our school community healthy. If you have any questions or need additional information, please feel free to reach out to our Public Health Nurse, Lauren Nichols, RN, at 703-904-5135.
 ⛄ Winter Resources for Families
A list of resources has been compiled for students and families in case they or someone they know needs assistance while schools are closed for winter break. Please visit FCPS’ winter resources page for information on academic support, mental health support, and county resources related to food, clothing, housing, and other needs.
❄️ Prepare for Winter Weather
Winter weather will be here before you know it! Watch this video to see how weather closing decisions are made at FCPS.
FCPS’ website is generally the first place to find out about emergency weather closings. Other communication channels will be used as quickly as possible, including email, text, social media, the new FCPS mobile app, and news stations. Learn more about how schedule changes are communicated.
Be sure to plan for the winter season. Update your contact information in SIS ParentVUE, bookmark the FCPS website, and arrange emergency child care if needed.
⛄ Keep Your Child Warm During Outdoor Activities
We will monitor the weather for low temperatures, wind chill advisories and warnings, and weather advisories that may prevent children from being outside. Make sure your child is dressed appropriately with a warm coat and other cold-weather clothing, so they can comfortably enjoy their time outdoors. View the National Weather Service’s tips on staying safe during cold weather.
If you need assistance getting cold-weather clothing for your family, please call Fairfax County Coordinated Services Planning (CSP) at 703-222-0880. Their multilingual staff can assist with any challenges you are facing, including food, shelter, employment, financial assistance, and health.
📱 Download the New FCPS Mobile App!
The FCPS mobile app offers a customized platform to help keep families connected and informed, directly from their smartphones. You can download the Fairfax County Public Schools mobile app by going to the Apple App Store or Google Play Store and searching for “FCPS.”
With the app you can:
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Stay up-to-date: Get the latest news from FCPS.
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View school calendars: See events, activities, holidays, and early dismissals.
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Check school menus: See what’s for lunch and breakfast today, tomorrow, or next week.
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Tap to contact: Quickly call attendance lines or email school staff.
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Access key links: Jump to ParentVUE, Schoology, and the FCPS website in one tap.
Users can access updates and content without having to sign in, making it easy for everyone to stay informed.
Learn more about the new mobile app, including feedback from parents TeAndra Nelson and Roy Dykes.
Tutoring Resources for Families
Some families may be looking for additional resources to help support their child’s academic success. The FCPS Family Resource Center (FRC) maintains a list of FCPS employees who hold a valid Virginia teaching credential and who are available to hire as tutors. This list is a resource offered by the FRC, but families are responsible for contacting and working directly with the tutors. This list is not approved by FCPS and is only meant to be a resource to families.
FCPS also partners with Varsity Tutors to provide students and families with extra resources for learning. Every student can take advantage of Varsity Tutors' services, at no cost, including weekly live online classes, on-demand 24/7 chat tutoring, essay editing, and study resources such as recorded content, practice problems, and diagnostic tests.
~Community Events~
🤖Oakton Cougar Robotics
Oakton Cougar Robotics would like to invite our students to Oakton High School’s STEAM Symposium!
During this event, your students will be able to explore the STEAM clubs of Oakton High School and other FCPS High Schools through various booths and activities proctored by each of the clubs. Through this symposium, we hope this event will foster STEAM interest and learning in your students and get them excited about all the opportunities available in the near future.
This event will take place on Friday, April 10th, from 5:30 pm - 7:30 pm, set up in a rotational manner so that your students may come and go as they please.
  
Prepare for Summer Learning and Fun for Students
Registration is open or will be available soon for summer camps and learning opportunities offered by Fairfax County Public Schools for all students.
Career and Technical Education and Institute for the Arts Camps
Career and Technical Education camps and Institute for the Arts camps will be held in July at Robinson Secondary School from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Bus transportation will be available from select FCPS middle and high schools. Tuition assistance is available to FCPS families eligible for free or reduced meals.
CTE Summer Academy (CSA) is a week-long enrichment program that allows students in grades 6-11 to dive deeper into CTE program areas, develop skills, and begin career exploration. Watch this video about CTE camps. Registration is open for these programs through Friday, June 5.
Institute for the Arts (IFTA) is a two-week camp for students currently in grades 6-11. Students select from nearly 60 classes in art, dance, music, and theater. Rising freshmen have the option to take Health and PE 9 through IFTA as well!
Production Camp is a four-week summer theatre intensive for students in grades 6-11. Students in performance or technical theatre tracks rehearse, design, and build a musical in a collaborative atmosphere. The show is presented to the public at the end of camp.
New this year: Students in the above camps can also register for aftercare, which is available from 2 to 5 p.m.
Quick Links
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